Thunderball!!

Because it was still so hot here, I decided to take Phoebe down to the sea so we went to Blue Anchor Bay. It's called a sea but being the Bristol Channel it is pretty filthy. She has never been let off her lead before so wasn't sure what she would think of the sea!! I threw a stone into the water, and without any hesitation she jumped the waves and went straight in. Then proceeded to roll in the mud. I say mud not sand because it is filthy looking stuff.

Any way from there, to avoid the long queues of traffic, I came home the back road, as we call it. It passes through Monksilver and then Combe Sydenham which is on the edge of Exmoor National Park.

This is the picture of Combe Sydenham, home of the Sydenham Family from 1400 to mid 1700s. Francis Drake married Elizabeth, the daughter of George Sydenham in 1585. But before that, whilst engaged, Francic Drake went to sea for seven years!! His fiance' decided to marry another whilst he was away. But by supernatural means, Drake heard about the wedding in Stogumber Church and whilst his bride walked down the aisle, he fired a cannon ball that supposedly flew halfway round the world, and through the roof of the church and lodged in the floor between the bride and groom. She fled from the church and abandond the ceremony, eventually marrying Francis Drake in nearby Monksilver. The cannon ball (actually a 14" diameter meteorite) is still in Combe Sydenham house to this day.

You see, it all happened here. The house at the moment looks quite dilapidated and needs some attention. I dont think anyone actually lives in it but the estate is surround by superb forestry and is accessible for walks.

Hope you enjoyed the history, researched by Mr A over our meal this evening, after my rehearsal in Stogumber Church. Our concert on 27th July is now getting closer and the songs went quite well this evening. It is quite difficult doing 4 part harmony with most of us only coming together just for this concert!!

Try and enjoy the warmth for a bit longer. Yes I know we're not used to it, but we will have a lot of rain eventually. Thankyou for dropping in!!